What are Your Ghost Ball Practice Routines

1/1/2014 5:52:14 AM

What are Your Ghost Ball Practice Routines

I recently discovered ghost ball and have been playing the game a lot when I'm by myself. I break the rack and try to get all solids or stripes + the 8 ball in without missing a pocket. Every missed pocket forces a ball in hand and every ball in hand is 1 point and fouls/scratches count as a forced ball in hand. So the main objective of my ghost ball game is to get all 7 balls + the 8 ball in with the fewest number of ball in hands. I hope to progress to the point where I can play true ghost ball but till then I'll be using the ball in hand point system.

I wanted to hear everyone's ghost ball rules or solo practice game to get some more ideas so I can change it up or alter my own rules.

What are Your Ghost Ball Practice Routines

Replies & Comments

It's me again. Not to split hairs but it's called playing the ghost. I first heard of this drill five or so years ago. If or when you miss it's over. Your way works too. I don't play eight ball ghost very often. I'll play it before leagues. I get there 2 hours early. Another version is starting with three balls and work your way up.

I play 9 ball, 10 ball, ghost on a 9 X 51/2 table. 8 on the oversize 8's.

Here's another one.
15 Ball Ghost Rating Drill
Rules:
1. Rack all 15 balls. Any order, but the 1 must be at the top, and the 15 in the middle.
2. Break
3. Player can take as many ball in hands each rack until all balls have been made.
4. Player does NOT have to take ball in hand immediately after the break.
5. Player can use a ball in hand at any point during the rack.
6. Play a total of 10 racks.
7. Player's score is determined by the total # of ball in hands taken after all 10 racks are completed.
8. Slop counts.
9. Player must continue shooting even if the 15 ball drops early.

Summary of what is a foul/BIH penalty:
- CB scratch (1 foul)
- OB off table (1 foul, and ball gets spotted)
- Missed shot (1 foul)
- Missed shot and then scratch (1 foul)
- Lowest ball not hit first (2 fouls)
- Lowest ball not hit first and then scratch (2 fouls)
- Make a ball and scratch (1 foul). If a legal hit is made, but the ball that dropped wasn't the lowest ball, it gets spotted. If the lowest ball was made, it stays down.

That 15 ball ghost game sounds intense, I think I'll have to work my way up to that one. But thank you for the suggestion. I'll have to keep playing my way till my shape gets good enough to graduate on to the real ghost game and then from there advance towards the 15 rack game. I think I might steal some of the rules for my game.